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His headquarters thereafter. In a few days He with His disciples attended the Passover at Jerusalem (John 2:13-25), at which time the disciples witnessed His cleansing the temple. Following this visit to Jerusalem Jesus engaged in His early Judean ministry with His disciples, which probably lasted about six months. On ac count of the increasing popularity of Jesus (John 4:1-4) the Pharisees, the religio-political party which was in power in Jerusalem at that time, became jealous and opposed Christ. With this turn of af fairs Jesus with His early disciples went northward through Samaria and engaged in a short Samaritan ministry. At this point of the.history it seems that Peter and the other three or four early disciples left Him, going before to Galilee, Jesus came along later and after having visited Cana (John 4:46), and Nazareth (Luke 4:16-30), went down to Capernaum, which was by the Sea of Galilee. As He walked beside the sea He saw the disciples in a boat, having engaged all night in fishing and having caught nothing. Jesus then in structed them to go out into the deeper water and to let down the nets, which thing they did, and caught a netful of fish. Peter, seeing the miracle and realizing Christ’s superiority, fell at His feet and said, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:1-11). For about eighteen months Jesus with His disciples toured Galilee announcing the approach of the kingdom. On the three tours made there, Peter with the other disciples came in contact with life as it was lived in districts far rerrioved from the spiritual influences at Jerusalem. During this time he with his Master went into the synagogues, through fields, over mountains and through vales, through grainfields and beside the sea, coming in contact with every phase of life as it ex isted in his day and time, and witnessing how his Master dealt with all of the prob lems of life. On his third tour Jesus sent His disciples out two by two, conferring upon them supernatural power, which was the attestation of their divine commission. Peter naturally enjoyed these great gifts and witnessed God’s working through men in behalf of fallen, lost' souls. After this year and a half of intensive labor on the part of the Master, and concentrated study on the part of the pupil, Peter and the other disciples, opposition again from the religious leaders became so very strong that it became necessary for Jesus to with draw from the country, going into Gentile territory. On one occasion when He withdrew; as this evangelistic band was on the way to Caesarea Philippi, a city in the region of Mount Hermon, Jesus questioned the apostles as to public opinion concerning Himself. Just before this withdrawal they had toured the country, going two by two, and coming in touch with multitudes. It is natural that the people would ex press themselves more freely concerning Jesus to the apostles than they did to Him; hence Jesus’ question, “Who do men say that the Son of Man is?” They reported that some considered Jesus as John the Baptist; others, that He was Elijah; while others, one of the prophets. These answers are but echoes of the won derful works and teachings of Jesus. The impression, therefore, which Jesus made upon the people was that He and His life were on a higher plane than that of the ordinary Jewish teacher or rabbi. Imme
diately, Jesus directed His question to them, “But who say ye that I am?” to .which question Peter immediately replied, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the liv ing God.” Thereupon Jesus conferred upon Peter the honor of leadership in the apostolic band. A little later, probably in the same dis trict, Jesus especially favored Peter to gether with James and John with a glimpse of the future kingdom and its glory (Matt. 17:1-13; Mk. 9:2-13; 2 Peter 1:16-18). During the period of retirement from the land, which was the first half of the last year, Jesus with His disciples visited three other sections of Gentile territory. These travels doubtless were the first les sons which Peter with his associates learned concerning’ Christ’s plan to give the good news of the Gospel to Gentiles^ most important training. During the last six months of His per sonal ministry Christ with His disciples made three visits to Jerusalem, at three of which visits the antagonism against Him grew with incredible rapidity. Hence, Jesus retired to various out-of-the-way places. Finally, as the Passover of A.D. 30 drew near, Jesus with His disciples set His face steadfastly to go to Jerusalem. While on the way, as on a previous Oc casion (Matt. 16:21-26), He predicted His sufferings which He would accomplish at Jerusalem. At the Last Supper Jesus startled His disciples by announcing that one of them should betray Him. Imme diately each asked, “Is it I, Lord?” After supper, while on the way to Gethsemane, Jesus again predicted that all of the dis ciples would become offended in Him, ac cording to Zechariah’s prophecy, to which prediction Peter swore that he would never deny Him. Immediately, Jesus an nounced the fact, “Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice.” This prediction was literally fulfilled that very night. At the time of the arrest Peter was with Jesus in the garden and he attempted to defend Jesus. Drawing the sword he struck at Malchus, the high priest’s ser vant, and cut off his ear (John 18:10). To trial he followed Jesus and at the crucifixion he stood afar off. Early on the first day of the week, having been told that the tomb was empty, he and John ran to see. While in the vi cinity of the tomb Jesus appeared unto him, conferring that great honor upon him notwithstanding the fact that he had denied Him. During the period of forty days when Jesus appeared at various times to His apostles and taught them things concerning the kingdom of God, Peter enjoyed these wonderful oppor tunities. At the Ascension he was present. Ten days later when the Holy Spirit came, he, being endued with power from on high, was used of God to preach that wonderful sermon recorded in Acts 2, which resulted in the conversion of about three thousand souls. In the early days of the church Peter together with James, the just, our Lord’s half-brother, and John, were the leading spirits (Gal. 2). A few years later he vis ited villages and districts surrounding Jerusalem (Acts 9:31) and probably vis ited Babylon (1 Peter 5:13). Probably sometime between the years 60 and 64 he wrote the two Epistles which bear his name. The key-word of the former .is that God’s people are strangers and pil
grims, whereas the latter contains a strong waning against false teachers, and ex hortations to a purity of life. Tradition claims that he visited Rome and was finally crucified there with his head down. Thus ended the life of one of God’s great, noble-men. Lessons From Peter’s Life (Review) Memory VAse: “Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men.’* Matt. 4:19. The review lesson is a splendid oppor tunity, for teachers to work up a special program;- something different from the regular lesson. Make this a day to which
the boys' and girls will look forward with keen interest. In . all reviews, of course,, the teacher will emphasize the truth he or' she de sires to have the pupils grasp. Some may’ prefer to take some one lesson and
drive home needed lessons. The follow ing, suggested by Peloubet, can be made extremely interesting and helpful: A F ish R eview Remove the cover of a box. Fasten a coarse net loosely over the box, to repre sent the seine used by fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. Place in the net a large number of fishes, made as follows. Cut from .silver paper many pieces of the same size and shape, following the Out line of a fish. If the paper can be written upon inside, use it in that way ; otherwise use pieces of writing paper for the ques tions. Fasteri two pieces of paper together for each fish, silver sides out, and the question within. Thus .prepare enough question-fish to cover the review, taking pains, that every question may be per fectly clear when read by itself. The fish will be placed in the net and drawn from it one by one, the pupil opening the fish, reading the question aloud,. and answer ing it if he can. If not, the pupil on his right has a chance'at it. “High line” will be the pupil that has answered most ques tions, having retained the largest number of fishes. If pupils are too young, teacher may read questions. You may reward winning.pupil with a book on Peter, Per haps the best is F. B. Meyer’s, published by Revell.
FRED S. SHEPARD ’S , BLACKBOARD OUTL INE
C HOSEN AND OMMISSIONED TO ATGH MEN Chosen and ordained—Jno. 15:16.
He does the most for God who is the highest skilled in prayer—E. M. Bounds. — o — When some people tell the truth it is only for the purpose of creating trouble. — o — Duty makes us do things well; love makes us do them beautifully.
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